Spain turn to Hierro to replace axed Lopetegui as World Cup kicks off

Fernando Hierro insists he will “bravely” take on the challenge of managing Spain at the World Cup after being appointed on the eve of the tournament.

Former coach Julen Lopetegui was dramatically sacked just two days before Spain’s opening Group B clash against Portugal, throwing their preparations into turmoil.

Following Tuesday’s announcement Lopetegui would leave to take over at Real Madrid after the finals in Russia, Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales decided to remove him from his post before a ball had even been kicked.

Rubiales had been riled by being told of Lopetegui’s decision to take the Real job just five minutes before it was made public.

Former Spain captain Hierro will now step across from his role as director of football to lead the national team though the World Cup.

The ex-Real Madrid defender knows he can have little influence on the way the team is prepared to enter the tournament but will do the best he can with the hand he has been dealt.

“It is a nice challenge and an exciting one,” he told reporters at a press conference in Krasnador.

“The circumstances are what they are and from now on I accept the responsibility bravely, it can’t be any other way.

“We have a group of players who have been together for two years to work towards the World Cup and I have been sporting director, so I understand the motivation is huge.

“We cannot alter two years of hard work in the coming days – from now until the Portugal match, we don’t have the ability to change much.

“The key is to change as little as possible. We cannot change anything in two days.”

Rubiales announced he had dismissed Lopetegui –pointing the finger of blame at Real Madrid, rather than the outgoing coach.

“We have been forced to dispense with the national coach. We wish him the best of luck,” he said. “I don’t want to get into how Real Madrid should go about things. The Spanish team is the team of all Spain.